One vegetarian mom + one omnivore dad and two undecided kids = one [COMPLETED, HOORAY!] New Year’s resolution to create a ‘blended-family’-friendly vegetarian recipe every day—converting traditional family-favorite meals into meatless recipes that even picky kids (and husbands) will love! Stay tuned this year for our journey incorporating more whole foods!

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Italian Sausage Crumbles {Vegan}

Day 362.

In preparation for following along with Kelly's Get Real series in 2012, I decided I really need to pin down a homemade Italian sausage crumbles recipe made with whole food that I'll like. Italian sausage is one of those things that I never really ate, but I hear such good things about it I had to create my own. I came up with this recipe basically through trial and error and a lot of taste-testing. I think they turned out really well and could actually make a great party appetizer on their own.

Mash all ingredients together in a zippered bag or medium bowl until combined.

Crumble "raw" over pizza or into soup.

OR preheat oven to 350. Roll sausage into 1/2-inch balls (about the size of a chickpea) and place on a greased cookie sheet. Bake 7-10 minutes until golden and slightly crisped on the outside. Serve with marinara or your favorite dipping sauce.

The Results
I really like the flavor and the texture of these. They don't have any of that funky processed flavor of the pre-packaged sausage and I can adjust the seasonings however I like. A definite winner. The kids both loved these (Bug a bit more than Goose) and my meat-eating husband thought they were pretty good, too.